Phenomenal George Ford Central to Defeating New Zealand

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

He was called upon as a substitute to help the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, especially George," Borthwick told. "During that phase where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis started quickly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle with those moments the best."

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during challenging weather at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always advising me, and appropriately as three points are crucial during any phase of competition."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the national team's triumph against Australia on 1 November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining prior to global competition that there is plenty of career ahead within him.